Doncaster Rovers' transfer-listed winger Glenn Middleton made a 15-minute cameo in the team's 2-0 friendly win over Wolverhampton, with manager Grant McCann hoping to help the player get back in the shop window.
What happened?
Glenn Middleton's name on Doncaster Rovers' teamsheet on Wednesday night certainly raised a few eyebrows. After all, the Scot had been placed on the transfer list at the end of last season and despite returning for pre-season training he was left out of the club's tour of Ireland earlier this month.
Why it matters for Doncaster Rovers
Manager Grant McCann had said that Middleton's absence from that trip was done with a view to the 26-year-old moving on to pastures new. However, McCann gave Middleton a 15-minute cameo in last night's 2-0 friendly reverse to Wolverhampton, saying it was to help the player get back in the shop window.
What comes next?
Rovers put on a stern display against Wolves, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, with only a defensive error and a penalty proving their undoing in the final 10 minutes. Another Championship side, Lincoln City, visit Doncaster Rovers on Saturday for the final warm-up game before the season starts.
Doncaster Rovers are currently 14th in League One, with 60 points from 46 games last season. They have scored 50 goals and conceded 69 so far this season, with a goal difference of -19. They are 43 points behind leaders Lincoln in the title race.
The team's manager, Grant McCann, said: "It was more just to help Glenn. There's obviously clubs after him and he needs to choose what he wants to do. He'll still leave the club at some point, I'd imagine. But it helps him (playing) tonight. It helps put him back in the shop window. People will see that he's there, he's playing, he's involved and he's fit. It's like when you're sometimes out of sight, you're out of mind. So I think tonight was to give him an opportunity to let people know he's there. He came on and did well and put a good ball into the box, so hopefully his situation gets sorted soon."
What's next for Doncaster Rovers?
Doncaster Rovers will face Lincoln City on Saturday in their final warm-up game before the season starts. The team will be looking to build on their performance against Wolves and get back to winning ways in the league. With the transfer window still open, the team's management will be keeping a close eye on the situation with Glenn Middleton and other players who may be on the transfer list.
The team's fans will be hoping that Middleton's cameo against Wolves will be the start of a new chapter for the player, and that he will be able to help the team achieve their goals this season. With the team currently 14th in League One, there is still a lot of work to be done to get back to the top of the table. But with the right players and a bit of luck, anything is possible.
